[Replicant]

Had my M40i in for the 3 year service. The vehicle has ~23k miles on it, about 90% of that being city driving. Got a message from the tech that my rear brake pads are at 5mm and should be replaced soon, and my front brake pads are at 8mm.

I assume the pads being worn out this quick is because I do mostly city driving, it's a heavy vehicle, and I have a pretty heavy foot, but I am still surprised by this at 23k. Is this normal for the rear brakes to wear far faster than the fronts?

Also, at what pad thickness are the brakes generally replaced on BMW's?

[Isawelvis]

It seems that all new cars are now wearing out rear brakes quicker. It used to not be that way. I really don't know the reason, but some say it because of the active cruise, rear camera stopping , lane correction etc. But this is very common anymore. is the dealer saying you need rotors too or can they be turned. Would save you on cost. I would have him turn the rotors and the next time ie in another 20,000 plus miles have new rotors and pads. Good luck

[Wgosma]

Dynamic Stability Control actuates the rear brakes in order to 'stabilize' the car when cornering- this is a significant contributor to rear brake wear.

One can disengage the stability control by changing driving mode, however it will kick back in as soon as you engage cruise control, disengage Sport driving mode, etc.

[Replicant]

Interesting on the stability control. I would say that a drive pretty spirited and don’t waste time when taking turns. Could be due to stability and likely the car using the rear brakes to basically simulate a sport diff. Hadn’t thought of that.

The service advisor didn’t say anything to me about it. It was just in a video the tech sent to me as part of the service. I have an independent that I use for anything outside of warranty so I will see what they think.

[Wgosma]

Originally Posted by Replicant

Interesting on the stability control. I would say that a drive pretty spirited and don’t waste time when taking turns. Could be due to stability and likely the car using the rear brakes to basically simulate a sport diff. Hadn’t thought of that.

The service advisor didn’t say anything to me about it. It was just in a video the tech sent to me as part of the service. I have an independent that I use for anything outside of warranty so I will see what they think.

Take a few turns in normal driving mode, push the car a bit as you round the curve and pay attention to the cars movement, you should be able to detect the rear brakes being actuated….then disengage DSC and drive a few more curves and see if you detect the lack of stability control, and brake actuation.

[Replicant]

I’ve definitely noticed it before, but never thought of it majorly increasing brake wear.

[Raphael X4]

someone on this thread had this issue a few months ago too. maybe search for their post.

In the end I think the dealer changed their calipers under warranty but it took some convincing.

[Replicant]

Interesting. I will likely ask my advisor what is up, see if I can get some answers. I’ve just never experienced wear this quickly and I’ve driven all my vehicles pretty much the same.

[Tokke]

My car have 148000 KM now. I own a 20d with M sport brakes.

Rear brake pads have been changed at 60000 KM and 120000 KM. Still has the original disks on ther rear.

Front brakes have been changed at 70000 KM and 148000 KM (yesterday).
At the front they changed the disks also at 148000 KM.
Front brake pads + disks costed 1350 EUR

[Navypilot]

On my 16 Macan S, I had to replace the rear pads and the rotors as per Porsche. Not just the pads.

[wgeclipse]

Received the message two weeks ago on computer that it was time to replace rears in 900 miles. Currently have 24k.

[moff]

This has happened for years with BMW's.

My 2014 640d was terrible for it. The lack of real diff and DSC is the cause.

DSC individual wheel brakes for best traction.

[Wgosma]

Originally Posted by moff

This has happened for years with BMW's.

My 2014 640d was terrible for it. The lack of real diff and DSC is the cause.

DSC individual wheel brakes for best traction.

I see the rears wear quicker with my F25 X3….years ago when I was driving my E39 sedans (RWD) the rear tires always wore faster than fronts, but the front brakes wore faster than rears.

My sense is the SUV may not have the same near 50/50 weight distribution as the old sedan, so if that is actually true it might be bit of factor regards rear brake wear- I have near equal tire wear ion the X3 without rotation…the sedan ate rear tires.

[bcwalks2]

Rears on my 2018 X3 also wearing faster. Have some OEM pads in the garage ready to swap the, with once it warms up a bit.

[AZM40i]

Originally Posted by Replicant

Had my M40i in for the 3 year service. The vehicle has ~23k miles on it, about 90% of that being city driving. Got a message from the tech that my rear brake pads are at 5mm and should be replaced soon, and my front brake pads are at 8mm.

I assume the pads being worn out this quick is because I do mostly city driving, it's a heavy vehicle, and I have a pretty heavy foot, but I am still surprised by this at 23k. Is this normal for the rear brakes to wear far faster than the fronts?

Also, at what pad thickness are the brakes generally replaced on BMW's?

I am at 11,500ish miles and I am down to 3mm on my rears. Getting changed on Friday. Plenty of meat on the fronts still. I am friends with the tech that works on my car. He said that traction control and auto hold will work the rears. So depending on your driving style, the rears will definitely wear out first.

[PMB]

Originally Posted by Replicant

Had my M40i in for the 3 year service. The vehicle has ~23k miles on it, about 90% of that being city driving. Got a message from the tech that my rear brake pads are at 5mm and should be replaced soon, and my front brake pads are at 8mm.

I assume the pads being worn out this quick is because I do mostly city driving, it's a heavy vehicle, and I have a pretty heavy foot, but I am still surprised by this at 23k. Is this normal for the rear brakes to wear far faster than the fronts?

Also, at what pad thickness are the brakes generally replaced on BMW's?

Hmmm, my 2021 X3 M40i was in for it's first oil change yesterday and they did a complimentary vehicle inspection. Regarding the brakes they said all OK. The report says both front are at 8mm and both rear are at 6mm, which is green of all four wheels. The report says anything over 5mm is green, 3 to 5mm is yellow, and less than 3mm is red and should be replaced. I don't know why you are looking at replacing yours at 5mm.

Peter

[titomi]

Originally Posted by Tokke

My car have 148000 KM now. I own a 20d with M sport brakes.

Rear brake pads have been changed at 60000 KM and 120000 KM. Still has the original disks on ther rear.

Front brakes have been changed at 70000 KM and 148000 KM (yesterday).
At the front they changed the disks also at 148000 KM.
Front brake pads + disks costed 1350 EUR

This is G01 generation car ?

[Tokke]

Originally Posted by titomi

This is G01 generation car ?

Yes

[titomi]

Originally Posted by Tokke

Yes

Wow...that's q lot of mileqge

[ShadowM40]

My 2014 X3 had the same type of wear too. Rears keep the rotors and pads ready to bite in the rain when the rain sensor kicks on, and as mentioned it's used for body control dynamics. Also I'm sure it further negates nose dive when braking hard by probably having more actuation of the rear brakes. Safer and easier to evasive maneuver the car to one side or the other during hard braking (think the moose test) if the front doesn't dive as much and can steer out of a situation while braking hard.

[Keefy]

If you use the auto-hold function, the rear brake pads will go within 7000-8000 miles and that’s coming from a BMW dealership.

[Wgosma]

Originally Posted by Keefy

If you use the auto-hold function, the rear brake pads will go within 7000-8000 miles and that's coming from a BMW dealership.

Interesting, I would not think A-Hold would have much effect on wear….it really only clamps the caliper when the car is at a near standstill.